Window Tint Law in New Zealand

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WINDSCREENS:

The only films allowed on front windscreens are anti-glare bands that extend no lower than the bottom of the sun visor when lowered. Stone guards are allowed on trucks and buses only.

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SIDE AND REAR WINDOWS:

On any passenger car (Class MA vehicle), the darkest legal tint is 35% VLT* on all windows, including the front side windows (on either side of the driver), rear windows, side rear windows and back windows. Please note that a station wagon has the same classification as a car.  Vans, 4WD’s and SUV’s can have any degree of dark tint behind the driver’s door, but the limit of 35% remains the same for the front side windows.

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*VLT stands for visual light transmittance. The amount of visible light that passes through a vehicle’s window is measured as a VLT percentage. The lower the VLT percentage, the darker the film. Clear glass has a VLT of approximately 85%.

 

OTHER VEHICLES:

Stretch limousines or hearses have the same restrictions on the windscreen and front side windows, but can have any VLT level applied to the rear, side rear and back windows.  Any vehicle with a film applied to a window that is further back than the driver’s seat must have external rear view mirrors on each side.

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POINTS OF NOTE:

Vehicles with factory tinted glass may have lower than 35% VLT. In these instances, each window is marked as AS3 glass.

Mirror film or partial mirror film is not allowed in any vehicle.

VLT can be checked using a calibrated VLT meter or a 35% VLT card, which is available from WFAANZ. WFAANZ installers use labels to certify the VLT level as being no less than 35%.

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Refer here for the Land Transport Rule ‘Glazing, Windscreen Wipe and Wash, and Mirrors 1999’, Rule 32012/1.